Jacob? You there?

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 211):

ooc: yeah, sorry - working on catching up, will get a post up today or tomorrow

I will ask my advisors for their advice when it comes to what the next course of action should be - I want to send a message but I don't want needless violence at the same time.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 213):

Sir Raive says his spies have rumors of a dark horse candidate for the Great Lady that might be sympathetic to your views.

Some suggest raising taxes on various groups to pay for military fortifications on the two roads that go south to the Matriarchy at the border.

Some suggest an embargo of several  herbs that grow plentifully in the swamp, but not in th3e Matriarchy and are desired there as tea ingredients for two of them and another as a medicine for wounds.

I think the taxes should be raised only enough to pay for the fortifications, as well as the Great Lady candidate.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 215):

There is a bit of whining from some high level merchants, but it seems most of the people believe more fortifications are a  good expenditure, and so they bear up under the mild increase in taxation without much more than a few jokes.

A merchant comes to  your palace with a private message.  In private, he reveals that the Great Lady Doria is grateful for your gifts, and has been using them as bribes.  She requests more money as the situation is still quite difficult.

The message is strictly verbal as the merchant explains because doing as Doria is doing would earn her a one way trip to a room filled with alligators if she were discovered.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 216):

I ask how much more money the Lady will need.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 217):

About a third more than you've already given her.  Although if you give her two thirds more she's more confident.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 218):

I'll give her two thirds, but I'll expect results quickly.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 219):

"I will tell her, your Majesty." Says the merchant with a deep bow.

A few weeks later, and the fortifications are done.  You get a note from the Matriarchy '...Your fortifications indicate a lack of trust in our good word, and we find this an almost unbearable insult.  We suggest the path of wisdom is tear them down, and instead use them to create a wider meeting spot by dumping the refuse into the swamp.'

A few weeks later, and things are getting planted, and the bandits are (GE roll time) are finished.  However the wolf population is only slowly being beat down, and rumors of a giant mankilling wolf wise to teh ways of the swamp are spreading.

And then news comes from the Matriarchy...(GE roll).  The current Matriarch has retired, and there is news that suggests a three sided spate of sudden freak accidents among the elites while the peasants keep their heads down.  One of the sides is your candidate.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 220):

I will gather as much information as I can on her and the matriarchy to see what I should do.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 221):

You gather information, but its mostly a retread of what you already have.  Your people don't know that much about them actually.  Some favor sending in attackers, others  prefer a wait and see attitude.  Eventually you realize its not wholly in your control.  Even with the best will and the best plan things might not break your way.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 222):

In that case, I'll go directly to her to gather information.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 223):

Sir Raive comes with you, unless you yell at him to stay.  Anyone else you want to go with you? (you can invent reasonable jobs).

The ride down the border is swift along the road through the swamp.  You pass more carts, and you see the merchants are more cheerful and the peasants you pass seem happy.

When you arrive at your Southern city, you see repairs are still going on.  You may stop to talk to the City Regents Council, which is the temporary ruling force under you, or not.

Passing on, you reach the impressive fortification across the roadway.  The single wagon wide tunnel gate is forboding and claustophobic, and above you are a dozen murder holes from which can spill hot oil onto invaders. On the plus side, it gives a nice feeling of security on the northern side of the wall.  Unfortunately now you're on the southern side, and headding into Matriarchy territory.

You go a few miles, and began to see more solid land, and less swampland.  A day's journey on, and its mostly solid land with rice farmers.  You pass a dead man beside the road who is in stocks.  Below him is a sign 'Disrespect of a Lady.'

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 224):

I approach the man to show I'm not a threat and ask why he was forced in the stocks. I do my best to not seem aggressive or rude about it, but out of a genuine concern to help him.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 225):

"I...was dis dis respectful of a lady." He sways, and you can see his eyes are not tracking well.  "I did not get off the road in time. Not in time. Marty, I, who are you?"

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 226):

"My name is Jacob. Who put you in the stockade?"

In reply to Jacob (msg # 227):

"Servants of the Great Lady Cynthia."  GLC is along with Doria and Karen, the three contenders for the Queen of the Matriarchy.  "She's enforcing the old rules, from two centuries ago."

Sir Raive asks.  "Did she not work for Adora?"
"Adora died.  Some say assasins hired by the Swamp Kingdom.  She fell off her horse in an open field."

"Water, good sir, water?"

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 228):

I offer him a drink from my flask. 'When the war was won, we demanded equality. To hear that they have rejected it is most disapointing. I will need to find out more. Come with me."

In reply to Jacob (msg # 229):

He, Lou, comes along with you, and in another five miles you reach a small village.  Its about two hours from nightfall.  The 'wall' is a weak wooden woven fence six feet high.  Rice fields surround the village.

The village has about fifty houses.  Your local says that there is an inn there as any 'small' village has to have one.  'Tiny' villages have to have a campground.

This village is Renrika.  Its his home.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 230):

"We'll need to set up camp, but I think we need to press on." With that I'll find a private spot, and set up a camp.

In reply to Jacob (msg # 231):

There is the noise of some animals outside the camp that night waking you.  In the morning, you find fox tracks and the tracks of a bear.

Travelling on, and out of rice fields into barley fields you come to another village.  Hanging up above the village is a green banner with a golden crown on it and a stylized 'D'.  This village is held by Great Lady Doria who you have sponsored.  Its name is Tamta.

"I think we can find a room at an inn tonight," I say as I take a sip of water.

ooc: I"m so sorry, I got stupidly busy

In reply to Jacob (msg # 233):

OOC: Real Life Takes Precedence.

You find an inn which is rather cutesy for your taste.  But its nice to have a hot bath, and barley soup with mutton roast and carrots (although they are more purple than orange) for dinner.  The drink is goat's milk, or wine, or mead.

When you come down for breakfast the next morning, you're sitting with your group waiting for the serving man to come and take your order when a Lady enters with eight men behind her, all Army types.

"Seize them for the murder of Lady Estail by poison." She points an accusing finger at you.

In reply to Tadeusz (msg # 234):

I reach for my blade. "What the hell are you talking about?" I snarl.